Chaplaincy Program

Mission Statement
Saginaw City Fire Chaplain Corps

The mission of the Saginaw Fire Chaplain's program is to anticipate and respond to the need for emotional and spiritual guidance and assistance in time of personal or collective crisis among the members of the fire department.

* The Saginaw Fire Chaplain is actively committed to enriching the lives of the people he/she serves by providing emotional and spiritual guidance which is necessary for daily living and an effective work environment and to strive to build and maintain an effective and responsible chaplaincy program within the agency or institution.

The Saginaw Fire Chaplain fosters an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality for the Saginaw fire department and is pledged, to the protection of each person's privacy and confidence. By providing resources for emotional and spiritual health and personal development, the Saginaw Fire Chaplain helps in strengthening the entire work force.

Saginaw Fire Chaplains are men and women of various ministerial and professional backgrounds who are dedicated to the spiritual, emotional, and physical well being of the fire department. A Saginaw Fire Chaplain is trained in areas of counseling, human behavior, pastoral care and/or other related areas.

* Saginaw Fire Chaplains are resources for stress management, critical incident stress debriefings, and spiritual guidance when called upon. Saginaw Fire Chaplains are available on a volunteer basis to offer their services and find resources where possible to meet the needs of fire fighters and their families.

* Saginaw Fire Chaplains understand their role to be that of service and contribution, service to the men and women of the Saginaw Fire Department. The contribution of each chaplain is that of his/her time, talents, care, professional expertise and often personal resources. This is done with a genuine love for those who serve our communities and citizens.

William "Bill" Howard - Fire Chaplain

Chaplain William ‘Bill’ Howard has been a Saginaw County resident since 1945. He is a graduate of the International Bible College in Moose Jaw, SK. Chaplain Howard retired from the Saginaw Fire Department after 25 years of service. He received several Awards of Merit and Meritorious Service Awards during his service to the community of Saginaw. Bill is a former President of IAFF Local 102 and has served on numerous community boards and commissions in both the public and private sector. He is certified and credentialed as an Associate Community Service Chaplain, completed the Michigan Sheriff’s Association Correctional Chaplaincy Program, and serves with the Saginaw and Mid Michigan Critical Incident Debriefing Teams. Bill is a Chaplain/Lay Minister serving in the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department Jail Ministry program in addition to maintaining the Chaplaincy office in the Saginaw Fire Department and representing the department and fire and safety related programs throughout the community.

He also makes a great Santa's Helper!